Important Notice Before You Apply: This role requires prior K-12 classroom teaching and leadership experience. Candidates who have not taught in a K-12 setting will not be considered, regardless of other qualifications. Please do not apply if you do not meet this requirement.
About Intrinsic Schools
Intrinsic Schools is a Chicago-based charter network reimagining public education for middle and high school students. Our model is built on collaboration, belonging, and personalized learning — systematically developing students' ability to think, solve, communicate, and reflect alongside our EPIC Core Values: Empathy, Perseverance, Identity, and Curiosity. Through flexible scheduling, mastery-forward grading, Advisory classes, and individualized postsecondary planning, we ensure every student graduates with a plan tailored to their own goals, interests, and future — with roughly 90% of seniors matriculating directly into college.
About The Role
The Principal in Residence (PIR) is a full-time, school-based leadership role designed for a high-capacity instructional leader who is ready to own the principalship — and committed to building something exceptional from the very start.
What makes this opportunity rare is the runway it provides. The PIR will spend their first full year embedded in the school alongside our current Principal — learning the community, building relationships, and developing their own vision for the school's next chapter. This is not a trial period or a passive observation — it is an intentional, structured transition designed to set the incoming leader up for lasting success.
During year one, the PIR will be present and active across every dimension of school life — in classrooms, in leadership meetings, with families, and alongside staff — absorbing the culture and systems that have been built while beginning to leave their own mark. The current Principal remains in the lead role throughout this year, providing coaching, context, and support as the incoming leader grows into full ownership of the school.
By the start of year two, the PIR steps fully into the role — not as someone still finding their footing, but as a leader who knows the school deeply, has earned the trust of the community, and is ready to lead with clarity and confidence.
This role is ideal for leaders who are deeply committed to educational equity, have a proven track record of driving student achievement, and are energized by the opportunity to lead a high-performing, student-centered school — with the rare gift of a full year to learn, connect, and build their vision before fully taking the reins.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role is well-suited for accomplished instructional leaders who:
Responsibilities:
School Leadership & Vision
Partner with the Current Principal to build and sustain a culture of transparency, trust, and excellence across all stakeholders — students, staff, and familiesSupport the development of the administrative team's school-wide vision and take an active role in investing and mobilizing teachers to achieve collective goalsTake increasing ownership of school-wide initiatives and leadership responsibilities over time, aligned to readiness and development goalsCollaborate with the administrative team on hiring diverse, highly-effective teachers and school staff, developing fluency in staffing strategy and inclusive recruitment practicesInstructional Leadership & Teacher Development
Drive implementation of the school's mission and vision to prepare students for postsecondary successModel and support ambitious instruction by ensuring classes are challenging, engaging, and aligned to rigorous standardsServe as a direct coach to a designated cohort of teachers — conducting regular observations, delivering actionable feedback, and holding teachers accountable to growth through consistent follow-throughDevelop systems and processes to consistently gauge the level of teaching and learning across the schoolDesign and facilitate professional learning that is rooted in research, responsive to current needs, and aligned to the Intrinsic POD modelCommunicate areas of strength and growth related to instruction clearly and consistently to teachers and school leadersStudent Achievement & Growth
Transparently utilize data to track school progress toward annual goals, analyzing results through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lensMonitor GPA, attendance, and promotion data and develop school-wide plans for improvement as neededUtilize ACT/IAR and benchmark data to develop instructional insights that drive student-centered, challenging instruction and aligned curriculaLead data-driven instruction by supporting teachers and coaches to disaggregate data, identify areas of student mastery and growth, and map findings to end-of-year standards and competenciesCoaching, Feedback & Professional Learning
Provide high-quality instructional coaching through frequent, scheduled classroom observations, actionable feedback, and accountability for adjustment in practiceOversee systems to review and provide feedback on instructional and lesson plansConnect teachers with relevant resources to strengthen their content and pedagogical knowledgeCollaborate with the administrative team to plan and facilitate professional development aligned to school-wide prioritiesStudent Experience & Culture
Support a culture of joy, celebration, and strong relationships between students and staffEnsure a safe and affirming learning environment for all students through consistent school-wide systems of expectations and restorative practicesServe as a visible, engaged presence in the building — at arrival/dismissal, during lunch, and across daily school operations — developing fluency in the full scope of school managementFamily & Community Engagement
Respond to the needs of students, staff, and families in an open, proactive, and solutions-oriented mannerServe as a point of contact for family engagement and student interventions, partnering with teachers and support teams to determine next stepsBuild credible, trusting relationships with families as a core leadership competencyPrincipal Partnership
The Principal In Residence will work with Michelle Trojan, a highly-skilled leader at our Belmont Campus. This year, Michelle was recognized as the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) Charter School Principal of the Year.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Intrinsic Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Intrinsic Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Intrinsic Schools has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources.
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Read LessAbout Intrinsic Schools
Intrinsic Schools is a Chicago-based charter network reimagining public education for middle and high school students. Our model is built on collaboration, belonging, and personalized learning — systematically developing students' ability to think, solve, communicate, and reflect alongside our EPIC Core Values: Empathy, Perseverance, Identity, and Curiosity. Through flexible scheduling, mastery-forward grading, Advisory classes, and individualized postsecondary planning, we ensure every student graduates with a plan tailored to their own goals, interests, and future — with roughly 90% of seniors matriculating directly into college.
About The Role
The Principal Fellowship is a full-time, school-based leadership development role designed for high-capacity instructional leaders preparing to step into the principalship within 1–2 years. The Principal Fellow will work side-by-side with an accomplished, results-driven Principal, gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of school leadership while receiving targeted coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
As a key member of the school’s leadership team, the Principal Fellow will take on increasing responsibility over time—supporting instructional excellence, strengthening school culture, and leading initiatives that drive student achievement. This immersive fellowship provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from proven leadership practices while actively contributing to the success of the school community.
This role is ideal for leaders who are deeply committed to educational equity and eager to grow into a principal who can lead a high-performing, student-centered school.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role is well-suited for accomplished instructional leaders who:
Responsibilities:
School Leadership & Vision
Partner with the Principal to build and sustain a culture of transparency, trust, and excellence across all stakeholders — students, staff, and familiesSupport the development of the administrative team's school-wide vision and take an active role in investing and mobilizing teachers to achieve collective goalsTake increasing ownership of school-wide initiatives and leadership responsibilities over time, aligned to readiness and development goalsCollaborate with the administrative team on hiring diverse, highly-effective teachers and school staff, developing fluency in staffing strategy and inclusive recruitment practicesInstructional Leadership & Teacher Development
Drive implementation of the school's mission and vision to prepare students for postsecondary successModel and support ambitious instruction by ensuring classes are challenging, engaging, and aligned to rigorous standardsDevelop systems and processes to consistently gauge the level of teaching and learning across the schoolDesign and facilitate professional learning that is rooted in research, responsive to current needs, and aligned to the Intrinsic POD modelCommunicate areas of strength and growth related to instruction clearly and consistently to teachers and school leadersStudent Achievement & Growth
Transparently utilize data to track school progress toward annual goals, analyzing results through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lensMonitor GPA, attendance, and promotion data and develop school-wide plans for improvement as neededUtilize ACT/IAR and benchmark data to develop instructional insights that drive student-centered, challenging instruction and aligned curriculaLead data-driven instruction by supporting teachers and coaches to disaggregate data, identify areas of student mastery and growth, and map findings to end-of-year standards and competenciesCoaching, Feedback & Professional Learning
Provide high-quality instructional coaching through frequent, scheduled classroom observations, actionable feedback, and accountability for adjustment in practiceOversee systems to review and provide feedback on instructional and lesson plansConnect teachers with relevant resources to strengthen their content and pedagogical knowledgeCollaborate with the administrative team to plan and facilitate professional development aligned to school-wide prioritiesStudent Experience & Culture
Support a culture of joy, celebration, and strong relationships between students and staffEnsure a safe and affirming learning environment for all students through consistent school-wide systems of expectations and restorative practicesServe as a visible, engaged presence in the building — at arrival/dismissal, during lunch, and across daily school operations — developing fluency in the full scope of school managementFamily & Community Engagement
Respond to the needs of students, staff, and families in an open, proactive, and solutions-oriented mannerServe as a point of contact for family engagement and student interventions, partnering with teachers and support teams to determine next stepsBuild credible, trusting relationships with families as a core leadership competencyFellowship Development & Growth
Engage in a structured Principal Fellowship development program designed to build the adaptive and technical skills required to lead a schoolParticipate in ongoing one-on-one coaching with a leadership mentor, monthly readiness checkpoints, and cohort-based professional learning alongside fellow aspiring principalsDevelop and demonstrate reflective practice, self-awareness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvementTreat each responsibility as both a contribution to the school and a learning opportunity — approaching the fellowship with curiosity, humility, and a principal's lensYour In-House Coach
The Principal Fellow will work with Michelle Trojan, a highly-skilled leader at our Belmont Campus. This year, Michelle was recognized as the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) Charter School Principal of the Year.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Intrinsic Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Intrinsic Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Intrinsic Schools has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources.
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